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Boat-Washing Planned for Lake

Posted: February 12, 2013

By: Brian Nearing [TimesUnion.com]

LAKE GEORGE — Several communities and environmental groups around Lake George are pushing ahead with plans to start a boat inspection and washing program this summer as a way to keep out invasive species, in the wake of a decision by the state to hold back on such a step until next year.

A memorandum of agreement is being inked involving the village of Lake George, the towns of Lake George and Bolton, the Fund for Lake George and the Lake George Association that commits the partners to getting a voluntary boat-washing program set up for this year's boating season.

In the last several years, two new invasive species — Asian clams and the spiny water flea — got into Lake George, likely brought in by boaters who earlier had been in infested lakes or rivers elsewhere in the region. Invaders can cling to boats or stow away in bilge or bait water and move from one body of water to another when the boat is launched.